Personally, I didn't like the shelter halves. If there was an odd-man out, they just humped that much extra weight (their half, stakes, poles, and mat) when he could be carrying more water, ammo, or dry socks. I've never had any problems with a simple poncho and 550 cord, though it requires two trees and that can be a problem if your PB is not in the woods.

$0.02

I don't know if American ponchos are any different but ours were almost perfect squares with a hole and hood in the middle for your head. They were terrible to wear in the rain because your legs still got wet from the rain and the rest of you get wet from sweat.
However, if you brought along even two or three sections of your tent pole you could use that and your ruck to create a little shield above your head and chest area. And if you do that you can use what mosquito netting you have and place it over the poncho and it should work well to keep the mosquitoes out. We got issued this milky kind of mosquito repellent which was one of the few standard issue things that actually worked out okay. Any other tips on fighting mosquitoes?
So you guys still use A tents as well? Or some kind of new tent that also uses halves? Ours were made of heavy canvas. Never liked them. When the inspection etc. makes you pack all kinds of crap you really don't need, shoving in an A-tent does tick you off. Especially if you also have to carry the Captain's as well as yours.
Damn Captain ticked me off. Practically traveled with an empty pack (it had some stuff in it but was real light) and he had the fitness of a professional athlete to begin with. It was friggin' impossible keeping up with that guy with full gear. Not to mention, the guy only carries around a pistol. So since we were command platoon we arranged to have our heavier stuff moved by the 5/4 ton truck.
I always thought he carried a full pack until one day he wanted me to fetch his ruck and I nearly rolled down the hill to death because I pulled on it real hard thinking it was heavy.
Foot powder is important. I used talcum powder and I think that worked alright. I'll be sure to get fungal powder the next time around.
Spart, I think that's pretty smart stuff you guys did on FTX. What you did is what I'd do.
But what I also brought along is a supply of moist tissues. When you can't take a bath of any kind very often I've seen those help a lot.
The whole rig with the sleeping bag and poncho could be assembled in less than a minute if you wanted to. The A-tent... urrgh I guess it's good for control freaks who want to see what they're commanding. Never once during a force vs force training exercise did we actually pitch a tent.

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

I don't know if American ponchos are any different but ours were almost perfect squares with a hole and hood in the middle for your head. They were terrible to wear in the rain because your legs still got wet from the rain and the rest of you get wet from sweat.
However, if you brought along even two or three sections of your tent pole you could use that and your ruck to create a little shield above your head and chest area. And if you do that you can use what mosquito netting you have and place it over the poncho and it should work well to keep the mosquitoes out. We got issued this milky kind of mosquito repellent which was one of the few standard issue things that actually worked out okay. Any other tips on fighting mosquitoes?
So you guys still use A tents as well? Or some kind of new tent that also uses halves? Ours were made of heavy canvas. Never liked them. When the inspection etc. makes you pack all kinds of crap you really don't need, shoving in an A-tent does tick you off. Especially if you also have to carry the Captain's as well as yours.
Damn Captain ticked me off. Practically traveled with an empty pack (it had some stuff in it but was real light) and he had the fitness of a professional athlete to begin with. It was friggin' impossible keeping up with that guy with full gear. Not to mention, the guy only carries around a pistol. So since we were command platoon we arranged to have our heavier stuff moved by the 5/4 ton truck.
I always thought he carried a full pack until one day he wanted me to fetch his ruck and I nearly rolled down the hill to death because I pulled on it real hard thinking it was heavy.
Foot powder is important. I used talcum powder and I think that worked alright. I'll be sure to get fungal powder the next time around.
Spart, I think that's pretty smart stuff you guys did on FTX. What you did is what I'd do.
But what I also brought along is a supply of moist tissues. When you can't take a bath of any kind very often I've seen those help a lot.
The whole rig with the sleeping bag and poncho could be assembled in less than a minute if you wanted to. The A-tent... urrgh I guess it's good for control freaks who want to see what they're commanding. Never once during a force vs force training exercise did we actually pitch a tent.

Well, we have not had FTX yet, but in the past three weeks we have spent more nights in the field than in our bay. I love the field though. Moist towlettes are your friend. So are MRE heaters to warm your shaving water. We dont get tents, just the ponchos which are the same as what you describe but ours must be slightly larger than yours. The waterproof sleeping bag cover picks up the 3" or so of my feet that hang out.

I dont understand why some people try to bring their entire wall locker with them...

Inexperience.
The golden rule is to bring as little as possible. If you're in a real fight, extras will be lying around soon enough. Assuming you live.

whenever we used to do jungle training, we would live in a pit, and sleep under a hootchie (basically a rubber/plastic tarp that was waterproof and folded down to two fifths of **** all)
we would just string them up off a tree, lay out our fart sack and get in
I used to smoke in my sack and i found this to warm me up
after piquet was when i used to get into dry socks, boots back on, do a few push ups for more warmth and straight to be
and just a couple of questions - Who shaves out bush???? and why the hell do you need water, let alone warm water to shave out bush???? sounds a bit pogo to me

I knew a few guys, myself included who shaved out in the bush. Obviously not as often as in the barracks but when I did I just used some lotion and took out the razor. Painful, unpleasant, but it got the job done.
We didn't have any FRH and lighting a fire was out of the question.
When outside and we were doing something bordering on serious I didn't smoke. Smoke can be visible from a fair distance, at night cigarette light goes a long distance as well.
I've since stopped smoking.

Not a fan of shelter halfs never carried one in a jungle enivorment. Nor the sleeping bag. We used poncho hootches and ranger rolls. Working in the jungle your going to be wet. Ethier from perspiration or from rain, it's a given. If I was packing a ruck this is want I'd pack.

1. Field Jacket w/liner
2. Extra socks as many as you have.
3. 1 pr extra boots
4.Foot powder
5. Gold bond medicated powder (for the crotch)
6. Tube of neosporian, alcohol swabs and various sizes of band aids (ref Tops post and don't depend solely on your first aid kit)

7. extra flashlight batteries
8.magniseum fire starter

Thats in addition to your required gear.

Originally Posted by SigJohnson

[...]and just a couple of questions - Who shaves out bush???? and why the hell do you need water, let alone warm water to shave out bush???? sounds a bit pogo to me

Well, when Drill Sergeant tells you to shave, you dont ask questions. It doesnt matter if it makes sense to me, I am but a lowly trainee...

Besides, discipline must be maintained no matter what. If we quit one aspect of personal hygeine, why not quite all of them? Or quit maintaining our uniform and equipment?

Oh, and correct me if I am wrong 13, but dont NBC masks fit less tighly if the user has facial hair? Wouldnt want to get a nasty surprise...

As far as warm water, we may as well make it comfortable right? (Its still 20 Degrees out...)

Originally Posted by 03USMC

Not a fan of shelter halfs never carried one in a jungle enivorment. Nor the sleeping bag. We used poncho hootches and ranger rolls. Working in the jungle your going to be wet. Ethier from perspiration or from rain, it's a given. If I was packing a ruck this is want I'd pack.

1. Field Jacket w/liner
2. Extra socks as many as you have.
3. 1 pr extra boots
4.Foot powder
5. Gold bond medicated powder (for the crotch)
6. Tube of neosporian, alcohol swabs and various sizes of band aids (ref Tops post and don't depend solely on your first aid kit)

7. extra flashlight batteries
8.magniseum fire starter

Thats in addition to your required gear.

I usually carry almost exactly that, only no self medications (basic training). My gold bond powder is usually meant for my feet and not my crotch though. Is there a greater need for that in a jungle temperature?

I've seen some flash lights that you can charge up by pressing down on a trigger several times. A friend in another platoon had it and I thought that was real useful. Our standard issue flashlights had a habit of dying on us, especially during the winter.

Spart, you are right. Your gas mask may not fit as well on your face if you got yourself an elaborate beard growing. If your beard grows as quickly as mine does, this can be a problem. All gas masks inherently leak to some degree. It just delays the effects of chemical agents entering your respiratory system. Every little advantage may mean that you will get an extra few minutes which can be the difference between life and death. If you can, just shave. Sometimes out in the field when it got real hot I wished I could just get rid of all my damn pubic hair because it got real hot down there.

In the jungle, everything gets hot and humid, making it ideal for fungus to grow. You'll want powder around your crotch. I used some talcum powder which were alright but next time around I'll use the medicated stuff.

Originally Posted by Spartacus

Well, when Drill Sergeant tells you to shave, you dont ask questions. It doesnt matter if it makes sense to me, I am but a lowly trainee...

Besides, discipline must be maintained no matter what. If we quit one aspect of personal hygeine, why not quite all of them? Or quit maintaining our uniform and equipment?

Oh, and correct me if I am wrong 13, but dont NBC masks fit less tighly if the user has facial hair? Wouldnt want to get a nasty surprise...

As far as warm water, we may as well make it comfortable right? (Its still 20 Degrees out...)



I usually carry almost exactly that, only no self medications (basic training). My gold bond powder is usually meant for my feet and not my crotch though. Is there a greater need for that in a jungle temperature?

In a jungle enviroment crotch rot is a big deal. Any where thats moist and hot and sweaty you need to powder, lest the creeping crud takes hold. I usually go commando also in those types of enviroments.

As far as shaving. Real world trying to shave thru two days growth matted by cammi stick is pain. Water is for drinking. Hot water is for coffee. So you ethier dry shave, shave with a splash of water or if you don't have to you don't shave.